Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Breeding & Reproduction Activities
Speaker Suggestions
•
Artificial Insemination technicians or salespersons
•
Sire Analyst
•
Embryo transfer technician
•
Experienced cattle breeders
•
Different breeders that have different breeding goals on their farms
Roll Calls
•
What breed is your 4-H calf? What country did this breed come from?
•
Name one characteristic breed trait of an ideal animal to improve.
•
Why do farmers try to improve the genes of their dairy cows? (i.e. changing market needs, more
milk produced with fewer cows, to compete in the local and global markets, get rid of “bad” traits,
improve “good” traits, etc.)
•
Based on the traits of the sire or dam, what would you expect your 4-H project animal to be like
when ‘she grows up’?
•
Name one of the breeds of dairy cattle and one of the common traits that breed possesses
•
Name one part of the bull or cow’s reproductive system. What is its function?
•
What types of animals can be bred artificially and why? (i.e. dairy cattle, beef cattle, horses, dogs,
cats, pandas because of endangered species, to have a purebred pet, to make money, etc.)
•
Name one sign that a cow or heifer is in heat
•
Name one thing that a good breeding program includes (i.e. goals, heat detection system, balanced
nutrition, herd health, knowledge of breeds, traits, genetics, etc.)
•
If you’ve ever seen an animal be born, pick one word to describe the experience. If you’ve never
seen an animal be born, describe in one word what you think it would be like.
•
What is one of the steps leading to the birth of a calf or other animal?
•
What is one problem that can happen before, during or after calving?
Project or Take Home Activity Ideas
1. Create a project researching one of the dairy cattle breeds found in Canada or in other parts of the
world
2. Predict the production of milk, fat and protein you can expect from your 4-H project calf based on
her parents’ genetics. Predict the udder quality and mature size of the calf based on the proof and
classification of her parents.
3. Find a picture of the sire and dam of your 4-H calf. Then, find the genetic indexes for the sire and
dam. Include the pictures and indexes as part of your records for your calf.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
4. Explain how to use Parent Averages to predict the outcome of a calf and why PAs are valuable tools.
Discuss the proper ‘tools’ to make genetic decisions.
5. Looking at pictures of a cow is not a reliable way to make genetic decisions. Discuss why and why
not.
6. Follow one cow or heifer through a heat, observing her for about 10 minutes every two hours.
Record the signs you see over that period of time.
7. Find out whether your farm or a neighbour’s farm uses artificial insemination or a farm bull and
why. Share your findings at the next meeting.
8. Videotape the birth of a calf that can be shown and explained at a meeting.
9. Evaluate a cow’s physical conformation and note any inferior qualities. Using an A.I. catalogue for
her breed, make a list of some bulls that can be expected to sire daughters with better physical
characteristics than the dam. Evaluate this list of sires for production records. Then select the first
and second choices of bulls to mate with the cow according to your evaluations.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Promoting the Breeds
Purpose:
To introduce members to the different breeds of dairy cattle and the attributes of each
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 30 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: Bristol board or chart paper and markers, breed magazines, the section of
the 4-H manual in Breeding and Reproduction that covers the breeds; coupling this with a
tour of a farm that has a breed of cattle that most of the members do not have would be
beneficial
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Split members into groups and give each group a breed of cow that they need to promote
(do not let them pick the breed in order to make sure that many breeds are covered)
•
Allow members to use resources to come up with a promotional campaign for that breed,
which could include a skit, poster, etc.
•
Ask groups to present their findings to the rest of the group
Encourage members to consider that the different breeds have different positive and
negative attributes. No one breed is better than another. It is the same with different races
of people. Ask members what breeds they have at home. Would they ever like to have a
different breed?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Take a Crack at Classification
Purpose:
To give members a chance to practice classification using real specimens
Age Group:
Senior members
Time Allotted: 20 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: A cow; breed classification worksheets found in the Resource Manual; pencils.
Instructions:
•
Debrief:
Using the breed classification worksheets included in the Reproduction & Breeding section
of the Resource Manual, have members classify a cow. Once they have had a chance to
complete the worksheet, have them compare results.
Discuss the relative importance of the different parts of the cow in classification. What is the
difference between showing and classifying?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Reading Genetic Indexes
Purpose:
To familiarize members with the components of a genetic index and to help members
practice their presentation skills.
Age Group:
All members; May need to gauge the youngest members as it could be too advanced for
them
Time Allotted: 20 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: A cow’s genetic index cut into six sections, chart paper and markers
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Divide the members into six groups. Give each group a section of the genetic index for a
cow. The group is responsible for explaining its section to the rest of the members. They
can use whatever teaching technique they like, including the chart paper and markers
available at the meeting.
•
After each group has had time to look over its section, each of them can take turns teaching
the rest of the club what the section means and how it is used by farmers to make breeding
decisions
•
OPTIONAL – This activity can be repeated in the same way using a bull proof. You can talk
about the differences between a bull proof and a cow index.
Why is a cow’s genetic index (or a bull proof) a useful tool? Why is it important to look
at each of the different sections (i.e. production, conformation, health traits, etc.)? How
did you feel about making a presentation to the rest of the club? When can you use these
presentation skills in other areas of your life?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Selecting Sires
Purpose:
This activity helps members learn how to make decisions about selecting sires and
improving genetics.
Age Group:
Members 12 and over
Time Allotted: 30 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: copies of indexes from four cows and proofs from at least four bulls
Instructions:
•
Divide the members into groups of two or three. Give each group a copy of the bull proofs
and genetic indexes.
•
Each group has to decide how to mate which bull with which cow. They can use three
strategies:
o Mating the best bulls with the cows to improve production only (single trait
selection)
o Mating the best bulls with the cows to improve both production and type
(balanced breeding)
o Correctively mating cows with bulls to improve traits in the cow
o NOTE: Each group could be given a different mating strategy to try.
•
Debrief:
After each group is finished the activity, ask members to share their results for these mating
strategies. How and why did the results differ?
Why were there, if any, differences of opinion about which cow to mate with which sire?
Which breeding strategy is most likely to improve genetics in your herd faster? Why? Were
those decisions easy or hard to make? Why or why not? What would have been helpful to
your decision making process?
Alternative Activity: Instead of examining cow indexes, members could look at a cow in the barn and her
production records if they are available and try to select a bull to breed her to.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
The Genetic Puzzle
Purpose:
This activity introduces members to genetics and heritability and then gets them involved in
trying to build a better cow.
Age Group:
Junior members
Time Allotted: 35 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: breed magazines with pictures of cows and bulls that can be cut up, scissors,
tape, glue, paper, pens
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
To introduce the topic of genetics, ask members if they have a relative that looks like them
and why. (If this line of questioning may disturb some of the members, focus on something
like the kittens of a cat or the puppies of a dog to make the point.) Lead members, using
questions, to the idea that each part of them is from someone else. They are a living puzzle
made up of pieces of DNA, called genes.
•
Then discuss heritability. Why did someone inherit a family hair colour, but not a bump on
his or her ear? The point is that some traits are more easily passed on than others. Discuss
what kind of traits a farmer would want his or her cows to pass on to their calves and why.
Write these traits on chart paper.
•
Now that the group has an idea about genetics, get them to build their own better cow
using pictures of bulls and cows from breed magazines. Some members will just want to
make a collage of good traits from both animals, while others may focus on milk production.
The point is to get them thinking about all kinds of traits, and letting them discover what
these traits are. For example, someone might notice the “numbers” in the ad and decide to
include those in his or her picture of the better cow.
•
After members are finished, have each of them share their ideas for a better cow with the
group.
Is it difficult to decide which traits you want in your cow’! Why or why not?
Farmers make decisions about genetics all the time. When and what kind of
decisions do you have to make? How do you make them?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Cow Mating – You Make the Decisions
Purpose:
This activity helps members decide the strengths and weaknesses of a cow and determine
the best mating to complement her.
Age Group:
Members 12 and over
Time Allotted: 30 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: Copies of the “You Make the Decisions” worksheet found on the following
page, copies of current bull proofs (available from an Artificial Insemination unit or from the
Canadian Dairy Network at www.cdn.ca) and pencils.
Instructions:
•
Debrief:
Ask members to complete the worksheet given to them. Alternatively, to reduce
photocopying costs, the activity could be done as a large group discussion.
Did everyone pick the same bull for the cows? Allow members to debate their mating
decisions. Remind them that no one is right or wrong.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Cow Mating – You Make the Decisions
Farmer Brown has checked his herd and found four cows that are ready to be bred. He looks at the records
he keeps for each cow and makes these notes:
Annabelle – acceptable size; well developed udder and mammary system, except rear udder;
excellent feet and legs; milk production is a little low; general appearance isn’t
the best.
From these notes, can you pick out three things that the farmer might want to improve on Annabelle’s
daughter?
Bessy – small cow with an excellent mammary system; outstanding dairy character; sloping
rump; small to average capacity; high fat production; low protein.
From these notes, can you pick out three things that the farmer might want to improve on Bessy’s
daughter?
Clara – very large cow; strong and capacious; weak udder attachments; poorly shaped mammary
system; average milk production that is low in fat.
From these notes, can you pick out three things that the farmer might want to improve on Clara’s
daughter?
Dora - poor style and strength overall; lacks dairy character; excellent feet and legs; narrow
rear udder attachment and weak suspensory ligaments; low milk volume; high fat and protein
percentages.
From these notes, can you pick out three things that the farmer might want to improve on Dora’s
daughter?
Now look at the bull proofs available and decide which bull Farmer Brown should use for each cow. Pick a
different bull for each cow!
Dam
Annabelle
Bessy
Clara
Dora
Sire Selected
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Genetic Improvement
Purpose:
To familiarize members with the traits that cows are classified based on as well as whether
improvement in those traits is seen from one generation to the next.
Age Group:
All members
Time Alloted: 20 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: Prior to the meeting, find at least one set of dam and daughter pairs who are
milking within the barn where the meeting is to be held. With a large club, finding more pairs and splitting
members into smaller groups would be beneficial.
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Discuss with members that the goal of breeding dairy cattle is to improve the genetics of
dairy cattle so that future generations have improved traits related to milk production,
conformation, health and longevity. By looking at the dam in the pairs of animals that each
group is assessing, the members will be able to see the excellent, satisfactory, and poor
traits of the animal. When the farmer bred the cow, the goal was to improve the genetics
to result in offspring that was better than the cow herself. By looking at the younger cow
and comparing her to her dam, members can assess where genetic improvement has been
made. Conformation comparisons can be performed by looking at the animals, while
production and most health traits could be examined as another activity, using printed
production records.
•
Using the type traits indicated in the scorecard used in the Canadian classification system,
as listed on the “Genetic Improvement” worksheet, place a checkmark in the box to show if
the daughter shows genetic improvement, is the same, or shows no genetic improvement
when compared to her mother.
Overall, did the younger cow have better conformation traits than her dam? How would a
farmer select a bull to improve conformation traits? Are all of the traits a result of genetics?
Are some of them influenced by the environment and the food, care, and facilities available
to the animals as they are being raised?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Genetic Improvement Worksheet
Trait
Rump – Rump Angle
Rump – Pin Width
Rump – Loin Strength
Mammary System – Udder
Depth
Mammary System – Udder
Texture
Mammary System – Median
Suspensory
Mammary System – Fore
Attachment
Mammary System – Front Teat
Placement
Mammary System – Rear
Attachment Height
Mammary System – Rear
Attachment Width
Mammary System - Rear Teat
Placement
Mammary System – Teat
Length
Feet & Legs – Foot Angle
Feet & Legs – Heel Depth
Feet & Legs – Bone Quality
Feet & Legs – Rear Legs Side
View
Feet & Legs – Rear Legs Rear
View
Dairy Strength - Stature
Dairy Strength – Height at
Front End
Dairy Strength – Chest Width
Dairy Strength – Body Depth
Dairy Strength –
Angularity
Improvement
No Change
No improvement (the next
generation is poorer)
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Reading Bull Proofs
Purpose:
Members can learn how to measure the genetic value of bulls and cows and improve their
ability to select the right sires to breed their cows to.
Age Group:
Brief review for senior members; Learning session for junior members
Time Allotted: 10 minutes for senior members; 20 minutes for junior members
Preparation & Equipment: copies of 4 bull proofs, paper and pencils
Instructions:
•
•
Debrief:
Hand out the bull proofs to the members. Ask them what they think each category means.
Help them come to the answer themselves by asking questions in response to their
questions. The point is not to "tell" but to let them "discover." Ask them to think back to the
traits they think farmers want to see in their cows. These traits are probably measured in a
bull proof.
After talking about each part of the bull proof, divide the members into small groups.
The groups a n then find the answers to a series of questions: The best and worst bull in
production, the best and worst bull in conformation, the bull with the highest and lowest
repeatability level, etc. When they're finished, find out if any one bull ranked at the top of all
the categories, or if they were pretty mixed.
Why is it important to know how to read and use bull proofs’? How do the proofs help
farmers make genetic decisions? What kind of information do you use to help you make
decisions (for instance, deciding which 4-H project animal to select)
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
The Facts of Life
Purpose:
This activity introduces members to what the reproductive cycle is in cows and other
animals, and helps them learn how to find information
Age Group:
Junior members
Time Allotted: 50 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: “The Facts of Life Flash Cards” cut out from the following page, resource
materials such as encyclopedias, CD Rom Encyclopedia, other relevant books, etc., paper
and pencils.
Instructions:
• To introduce the reproductive cycle to members without lecturing them from the manual, let
them actively learn using the flash cards on the following page. Hold the card up so the term is
showing and you can read the definition on the back. Let the group work together to come up
with the correct definition for each flash card term, If you think the group may have difficulty
coming up with definitions, print the definitions out on a large sheet of paper and post it for
them to select definitions from. After they've matched terms and definitions, discuss any
questions about these reproductive terms.
• After they have learned about the facts of life in dairy animals, give the group a list of other
animals from below and have them find out the age at puberty (or breeding) and the gestation
period for each animal from the resource hoks provided. When they've found all the animals,
have the members place the animals in separate timelines: one according to puberty and one
according to gestation period. Use pieces of paper taped together to give members enough room
to create a timeline. (Hint: You can split the list up among the members if you need the activity
done faster.)
Animal
Age at puberty (breeding)
Gestation period
rabbit
3-4 months
38 days
elephant
8-15 years
20-22 months
cattle
8-12 months
279-290 days
dog
6-8 months
58-63 days
goat
7-8 months
151 days
horse
1 year
338-345 days
pig
5-8 months
112-115 days
mouse
28-49 days
18-20 days
lion
3-4 years
95-110 days
fruit fly*
11 days
11 days
killer whale
5-6 years
12-16 months
*Fruit flies develop from eggs laid by adult flies. It takes 11 days for the eggs lo develop into adults. These
adults are immediately able to breed and lay more eggs.
• Once the members have completed drawing a timeline for the animals, they can draw a specific
timelime for a cow’s reproductive cycle using information such as the 21-day estrus cycle, the
signs of heat, when a cow should be bred and so on. If the qroup is large, split it into smaller
groups so everyone gets a chance to contribute.
Debrief: Did you learn something from your research that you didn’t know before? How did the timeline
help you organize your research?
The cell from the sire that fertilizes the egg
A tube connecting the ovary to the uterus where an egg is
fertilized by the sperm
Sperm
Oviduct
Place in a cow’s body where a fertilized egg grows into a
calf
When an egg is sent into the oviduct to wait to be fertilized
Uterus
Ovulation
The cell that the cow produces. If it’s fertilized by the sperm
it grows into a calf.
Inserting a special straw filled with semen into the cow’s uterus.
The sperm then fertilize the egg.
Egg
Artificial Insemination
Place in a cow’s body that produces eggs
The period that the calf grows in the cow’s uterus (approximately
9 months)
Ovaries
Gestation
21-day cycle a cow’s body goes through to produce eggs
The signs the cow shows that she’s ready to be bred
Estrus Cycle
Heat (estrus)
Copy and cut the cards and fold them so that the definition is hidden.
The Facts of Life Flash Cards
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
AI vs. The Farm Bull
Purpose:
To introduce members to artificial insemination and to point out the reasons why AI is used
din breeding programs.
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 10 minutes
Preparation & Equipment:
Chart paper and markers
Instructions: •
Debrief:
Ask members to brainstorm all of the resons why someone would use AI over a farm bull
and vice versa. Write the answers on the chart paper. Once you have a large list, have the
group place the reasons into lists: pros and cons of using AI, pros and cons of using a farm
bull. From these lists, the group should make a decision about whether using AI is the way
to go for a farm’s breeding program.
Was it easier or harder to make up your mind about AI and farm bulls after seeing a list of
pros and cons? Why is it a good idea to make decisions based on pros and cons?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Breeding Trivia
Purpose:
To help members learn and review information about breeding through a trivia game they
design themselves
Age Group:
Senior members
Time Allotted: 40 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: resources on breeding, paper and pens
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Divide the group into three teams. Each team has to create 10 questions related to breeding
goals, heat detection and AI.
•
Once the teams have completed their questions they get to ask them to the other teams.
Teams get points by having the correct answer (2) and for having a good question (2). The
first team asks the second team a question. Then, the third team judges the quality of the
question, while the first team judges whether the answer is correct. The point is not to have
the most obscure question, but the most intelligent, thoughtful or witty question.
Is it easier to learn something when you have the answer questions about the subject, or
when you have to research the subject to create questions for others? Why do you think
this is? Why is research a useful tool? At what other times do you use your research skills?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Artificial Insemination Demonstration
Purpose:
To give members a better idea about the processes of semen handling and artificial
insemination
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 30 minutes
Preparation: Invite an AI technician to demonstrate how to breed a cow.
Instructions:
•
Debrief:
Make sure that each member gets to look at the AI equipment the technician uses.
Encourage members to ask questions. Do they think AI is difficult or easy? Can they
remember the steps involved? What is important to remember about semen handling?
What does the AI technician do to help prevent the spread of diseases from one farm to
another?
Alternate Activity Ideas:
•
Palpation Practice – If a cull cow was available, members could practice palpations, to see if they
could feel what the AI technician is experiencing when breeding an animal. The members could
also see if they could feel the uterine horns, ovaries, cervix, etc.
•
Examine a Reproductive Tract – A reproductive tract may be available from a veterinarian or
abattoir. Members should be asked to identify the parts of the reproductive tract. They could also
practice AI by threading the rod through the vagina and cervix.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Build a Ruminant Reproductive System
Purpose:
For members to familiarize themselves with the structure and components of the different
parts of the reproductive tract.
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 30 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: Collect household items that members could use to construct a mock digestive
system, such as tape, balloons, paper towel or toilet paper rolls, plastic bags, paper clips,
fasteners, elastics, money rollers, straws, popsicle sticks, etc.
Instructions:
•
Split members into groups of four or five. Give each group a number of items to build their
reproductive system with
•
Give members 20 minutes to build a digestive system with identifiable compoenents
•
Have a contest at the end to see which group could build some of the following:
o Most lifelike looking system
o Include all parts of the reproductive system
o Flow through design to show the passage of ova to embryo to fetus
Debrief:
What are the parts of the reproductive system? How does the egg from the cow move
through the system? Did everyone in your group participate in building the system?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity: The Successful Calving Board Game
Purpose:
To let members learn about the unexpected possibilities that come with calving.
Age Group:
Junior Members
Time Allotted: 20 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: Copies of the board game on the next page - enough for every two or three
members, one die per group, and one game marker per member (these could be other
board game pieces, coins of different denominations, or paper markers the members make
themselves ahead of time - use your imagination!).
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Put the members into groups of two or three, give each member a playing piece (or have
them make their own) and give each group a die.
•
The member who gets to the finish line first, wins!
What does this game tell you about the calving process?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The Successful Calving Board Game
The first player from stage 1 calving to a healthy cow and calf wins!
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
Activity:
Stages of Calving
Purpose:
To expose members to the signs and stages of calving
Age Group:
All members
The 4-H Dairy Project
Time Allotted: 20 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: A video of a cow calving (a senior member could do this as a project). If no
video is available, this could be done as a group discussion topic.
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
While it would be ideal to watch a cow giving birth, it is not feasible to schedule a 4-H
meeting around a calving. By showing a video, members can see what an actual calving
looks like and sounds like.
•
Before the screening of the video, brainstorm the different steps in the stages of calving.
Write them on chart paper so that all the members can see the stages during the video
•
Ask the members to watch for signs in the video of the stages of calving
•
Once the video is over, ask the group to point out the stages of calving they witnessed
What is the most interesting thing you learned about a calf being born?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Calf Pulling Demonstration Series
Purpose:
To introduce the concept of helping a cow through a difficult birth with calving chains or a
calf puller
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 10 minutes for chain demonstration, 10 minutes for puller demonstration
Preparation & Equipment: a set of calving chains and/or a calf puller
Instructions:
Calving chains
•
Demonstrate how to properly use calving chains. As one of the members to help with the
demonstration by playing “the calf”
•
Gently put the calving chains on the member to show how it is one properly. Then, pass the
chains around for each member to hold
Calf puller
Debrief:
•
Demonstrate how to properly use a calf puller
•
Give each member a turn using the calf puller. They can get the feel for how much weight
should and shouldn’t be put into pulling the calf from the cow
When might a farmer use calving chains or a calf puller? When should the farmer decide
that it’s time to call the vet?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Identifying a Newborn Calf
Purpose:
To show members the importance of keeping track of dairy animals from the time they are
born and the proper way to identify animals
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 10 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: different types of identification equipment should be laid out on a table: tattoo
gun and dye, ear tags and ear tagger, neck and leg chains, branding iron, photographs,
drawings
Instructions:
•
Debrief:
Ask members to try to identify all of the ID equipment and whether it is a permanent or
non-permanent form of calf identification.
Why do you think there are so many ways to identify newborn calves? Why are these
records important? In what other areas of your life is record keeping important? Why?
Alternate Activity if Live Animal is Available: If an animal is available, the host farmer could demonstrate
how to tattoo or tag by doing a live demonstration. Emphasis should be placed on proper
location of tags so they don’t rip out as easily.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Caring for a Newborn Calf
Purpose:
To help members understand the steps in caring for newborns as well as to practice cooperation.
Age Group:
All members
Time Allotted: 15 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: set of cards copied and cut out from the “Caring for a Newborn Calf” worksheet
on the following page.
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Hand out a "What" card to half of the members and a "Why" card to the other half o the
members (Hint: If the group is too large, split it into two and have each group carry out the
following steps separately.)
•
Each member now has to find the person carrying the card that matches his or her "Why" or
"What" card.
•
Once each member has found his or her partner. the entire group needsvto work together to
put the steps of caring for a newborn calf in the right order. (Note: Refer to the Breeding and
Reproduction section of the 4-H Dairy manual for newborn calf care information; the steps
are also in order on the original “Caring for a Newborn Calf” worksheet on the following
page that is to be copied and cut up). For example, the pair holding the “Move the cow to a
clean maternity pen” pair is number one. As they assign an order to a pair, that pair should
sit behind the pair that has the step previous to them In the end, there will be a double row
of members representing, in order, the steps in caring for newborn calves. Have each pair
read out their cards in order.
Are there any other steps that are done on the members’ own farms (i.e. vaccinations
or vitamins given after birth, etc.)Was this activity easy or hard? Why? Were you able to
co-operate to finish the activity? Name another time that you needed to co-operate with
someone to get a job done.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Caring for a Newborn Calf Worksheet
Cut out each “What” and “Why” card.
What?
Move the cow to a clean maternity pen
Why?
Stops the cow from coming into contact with
germs
What?
Wash your hands
Why?
Prevents germs from spreading from cow to cow
and to the calf
What?
Help the cow to calve if needed
Why?
Lessens calving time and stress on the animals
What?
Make sure the calf’s nostrils are clear
Why?
Helps the calf breathe
What?
Tickle the calf’s nostril
Why?
Stimulates breathing
What?
Dry the calf
Why?
Stimulates blood circulation and stops the calf
from catching cold
What?
Dip the calf’s navel with iodine
Why?
Prevents infection
What?
Feed the calf colostrum
Why?
Gives the calf antibodies to help fight disease
What?
Identify the calf
Why?
Purebred calves need to be properly identified
and you must be able to keep track of the calf
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Making a Calving Diagnosis
Purpose:
To help members understand all of the possible situations they may face when helping a
cow to calve. It also develops their decision making skills
Age Group:
Senior Members
Time Allotted: 25 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: copies of the “Making a Diagnosis” worksheet on the following page, resources
on calving problems, including the appropriate part from the Breeding & Reproduction
Section of the 4-H Dairy Manual
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Divide the members into groups of two or three. Hand each group a copy of the “Making a
Diagnosis” worksheet.
•
Set the situation. The members own farms and are confronted with a number of calving
situations during the year. Once a month, they get together with other farmers to discuss
the calving problems they have had and whether or not they made the right diagnosis and
decisions. The small groups are to fill out the handout together. Make the “Actions” listed
as detailed as possible. Once they’ve all finished, they can get together in the larger group
and discuss their decisions.
How can farmers better prepare themselves to help cows calve? What would have made
the decision making process easier? Did discussing the problems with the larger group
make it easier to come to a conclusion or harder?
Answers for Making a Diagnosis Activity:
SITUATION
DIAGNOSIS
Upon examining the cow,
The calf is delivering with
you feel only the calf’s head both its legs bent backwards
A cow has been in Stage
1 labour for awhile and
doesn’t seem to be moving
to Stage 2
A mature cow is in her third
hour of Stage 2 calving
The cow could have a uterine
torsion
Upon examining the cow,
you feel the calf’s tail
This is a breech birth. The
calf is being born backwards.
A heifer is in her third hour
of Stage 2 Calving
This is a normal labour.
Heifers usually take three
hours, while mature cows
take two hours.
The cow could be having
twins
The cow delivers a small calf
very quickly
Stage 2 usually takes two
hours. The cow could be
having trouble.
ACTION
Try to reposition the calf. Use the proper
steps listed in the 4-H Manual to do so.
Call the vet if repositioning doesn’t work.
Check for spiral folds in the vagina
and if she’s dilated. If not, call the vet
immediately.
Examine the cow using the procedure
listed in the 4-H manual. If the calf isn’t
in the proper position, reposition it or
call the vet.
Check the calf’s positioning. Then
reposition her and get the calf out.
Otherwise, she could be smothered.
Keep an eye on the cow, but the calf
should deliver naturally.
Check for a twin. The cow many need
help to deliver the twin, so don’t leave
the animal unattended.
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Making a Diagnosis Worksheet
SITUATION
Upon examining the cow,
you can feel only the calf’s
head
A cow has been in Stage
1 labour for awhile and
doesn’t seem to be moving
to Stage 2
A mature cow is in her third
hour of Stage 2 calving
Upon examining the cow,
you feel the calf’s tail
A heifer is in her third hour
of Stage 2 Calving
The cow delivers a small calf
very quickly
DIAGNOSIS
ACTION
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Activity:
Dystocia Drama
Purpose:
To familiarize members with the different calving positions they may be presented with
Age Group:
Junior members
Time Allotted: 10 minutes
Preparation & Equipment: None
Instructions:
Debrief:
•
Review the proper calving position with members and that difficult calvings are referred to
as dystocia
•
Review problem calving positions with the members (as pictured on the following page)
•
Call out a type of problem calving and ask members to show an action for that position (i.e.
ideal calving would be members sticking their arms forward with their head resting on their
arms, breech would be standing backwards, legs sticking behind them, etc.)
•
Repeat the types of positions in random orders to see if members can remember the
orientation (and action) for that calving position
Ask the members what they might try to do if the calf was not in the proper position (i.e.
reposition the calf, call the vet, etc.). Can they remember any difficult calvings on their farm
or a neighbour’s farm?
Activity Book - Breeding & Reproduction
The 4-H Dairy Project
Problem Calvings
Dystocia (Difficult Birth)
This occurs when the fetus does not come through the birth canal easily. This
could be because the fetus is too large for the birth canal or because the fetus is
in an abnormal position. Dystocia can result in a sick cow and / or a fetus that is
stillborn (dead at birth) or weak.
The normal position for the calf at calving is facing the birth canal, with the front
feet entering the birth canal first, followed by the head, which rests on the front
legs. Calves may be situated in other positions:
A. Head first with one or both legs bent
backward
B. Head and one leg first, with the other leg
crossed over her neck
C. Front feet first with the head twisted
backwards
D. Front feet first with the head bent down
between the front legs
E. Breech, backwards with the hind feet first
F. Breech, with the rear legs tucked under the
calf’s body
G. Breech, upside down, feet facing up
H. Hiplock – the calf is stuck at the hips